Category Archives: Personal Growth

More Modesty, Please!

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Why do people want to look, talk, and act like something they’re not?  I am very concerned about the immodesty of both men and women in our culture.  It concerns me that many find it necessary to look, say, and act in ways that conform to a societal bent toward lewdness.  1 Timothy 2:9-10 addresses appropriate appearance.  He is in no way saying don’t look your best.  He is saying look your best but put it to the test!  Hair style, jewelry, expensive clothes, and lack of modesty do not show ones devotion to God.  It definitely shows ones attachment to the world’s culture and disrespect for our Lord.   I have a dear friend, who even when she’s wearing jeans and a sweatshirt is just beautiful.  She is healthy, happy and reflects the absolute joy of being a believer.  My husband is a conservative dresser.  He often wears jeans and plaid shirts.  His confidence, assurance and acceptance of his place in God’s Kingdom are marks of his walk with our Lord.

fashion

I came across this delightful quote on Facebook and wanted to share it with you.

An incident transpired when Muhammad Ali’s daughters arrived at his home wearing clothes that were quite revealing. Here is the story as told by one of his daughters: “When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted my younger sister, Laila, and me up to my father’s suite. As usual, he was hiding behind the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we could possibly give in one day. My father took a good look at us. Then he sat me down on his lap and said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the eyes and said, “Hana, everything that God made valuable in the world is covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down at the bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful shell. Where do you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with layers and layers of rock. You’ve got to work hard to get to them.” He looked at me with serious eyes. “Your body is sacred. You’re far more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered too.” From the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali’s Life Lessons Through His Daughter’s Eyes.

A Satisfied Spirit Book Review|still lolo

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Still LoLoLife can be tough and life decisions even more so.  Add to that a horrible accident that results in a Traumatic Brain Injury and the loss of an eye and a limb and one might begin to question whether life is even worth it.    Strength….strong faith…supporting family and friends…

This beautifully told story by Lauren Scruggs, and her family, give personal insight into the life of a talented and gifted fashion reporter who does not let this horrific injury change the journey God has given her.  Of course, she gets depressed from time to time, deals with learning how to use prosthetic devices, wonders why this happened to her, and sometimes pushes family and friends away in her efforts to deal with her “new normal”.  Through all of this her faith in the One and Only God keep her moving forward, preparing to ‘take up where she left off’.

I highly recommend this book! Not only for those who have experienced life threatening injuries, but also for those who have sat by their side.  The parents, siblings, friends and supporters who wait day after day, in the fog of not knowing, for the eyes to open and the recognition to set in.   To hear the voice of the injured say, “I love you!” and to know others have been encouraged to go on through your story is life changing.   God is still performing miracles!

I had no idea when I started reading “still LOLO” that it was going to be a book of healing for me.  3 years ago, on October 30, my husband fell over the cat gate between the den and the kitchen.  Unknown to either of us, a blood vessel had broken in his brain.  About 3 hours later he came into the bedroom and said something was terribly wrong.  I did not realize the extent of his injuries until the brain surgeon spoke to me after a 7 hour surgery and said that he had only a 50% chance of survival.  The blood that had pooled in his head has shifted his brain right of center.  He was kept in a chemically induced coma for 20 days.  In the TICU unit he was cared for by the best of nurses and doctors, kept in constant prayer by churches, family, friends and many we did not know, and held lovingly in the arms of the Great Healer Himself, God.  When he was finally allowed to awaken, a great miracle had occurred.   Within a week he could eat on his own, knew where he was and the people around him, and was ready to go into rehab.  What could have been 3 to 4 months in a constant care situation, lasted 39 days.  He left the hospital on day 40, able to walk from the wheelchair to the car and was home for Christmas.  Yes!  God is still performing miracles!

In compliance with Federal Trade Commission regulations:  I have been provided a complimentary copy of Still Lolo by Tyndale House Publishers.

Passionate Pursuit

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How is your spiritual life?  Who are you depending on in your walk with Jesus?  Is it your pastor? Your Bible study leader? Sunday School teacher? Mom? Dad?  Mentor?  I sure hope not!  Although each of those people can help push you forward YOU are the only one responsible for your Christian growth.  If you want a real love relationship with the One and Only, you have to do the work.

Persistence and passion are the key.  My awesome husband will tell you he knew I was God’s choice for him the moment he laid eyes on me (at the Defiance County Fair).  I, however, had a different plan for my life.  I was never getting married since I intended to have a stellar, career as an opera singer.  God definitely had other plans for my life.  As we talked, over the next hour or so, he passionately, persisted, in his pursuit of a date with me.  I said yes and 45 years later, 41 of them married, I do not have a moment’s regret.

The same concept applies to our life with Jesus.  He is passionately pursuing us.  He wants to be part of who we are.  Unless we determine to do all that is necessary there is no relationship.  So what does that entail?  The same thing we do to build ‘people’ relationships.  Spend time with Him.

Love Jesus

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.   Deuteronomy 6:5

Thy word, have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against You.  Psalm 119:11

Prayer Lily

A Satisfied Spirit Fears Not

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No Fear

Throughout scripture we are told not to be afraid.  Why is that?  God knew, when He put Adam and Eve out of the garden, that fear would be a part of everyday life.  So then what do we fear?  For me,  it’s something will happen to someone I love when they are not near me.  Or, there won’t be enough money for everything we need.  Or, not enough time for what I need to get done.  Or, someone will not like how I look.

We fear because we are worriers, we are anxious about the unknown.  I know that God has me in his constant protection, that He is caring for me personally, yet I still give in to wandering thoughts about what will happen if?…

It’s interesting to me that when the Bible talks about fear it is connected to a specific cause.  God told Joshua not to fear when he took over after Moses.  He simply said,  “Take courage, fear not, I was with Moses and I will be with you!”  The angel, messenger from God, said to Jesus’ mother, “Fear not”, you are blessed and highly favored.  God is with you!”  The angels at the tomb told the two Marys not to fear.  (Mark 16)  In Acts 18:9 Paul is told not to fear but to speak out.

I’m told the only way to conquer my fear is to face it.  Perhaps so but the Word says I don’t have to face it alone.  God is always with me and with Him all the the Angel Armies of Heaven.  Why would I fear with that at my Protector’s disposal?

Whom Shall I Fear by Chris Tomlin

Heavenly Father I know You are always with me, always by my side.  Grant me peace in the knowledge that I need fear no evil.  Give me strength to stand and speak for You.  I beseech You in the Precious Name of Jesus, my Lord and Savior.  Make it so!

7 Rules For Life

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7 RulesFrom time to time I read something on Facebook that is actually applicable to life.  The 7 Rules of Life resonated in my thoughts, leading me to find scripture that tells me God would want these ‘rules’ to be considered and used by His Children.

Hebrews 12:8 tells us to live at peace with everyone.  If we are doing that we will not need to make peace with our past because there will be nothing there to worry about.

I loved the second one and really gave it some thought.  If we truly believe Genesis 1:27 then we understand that we are defined by God.  How we look and our personal characteristics are the mirror of God’s image.  What other’s think doesn’t really matter when our life is completely centered on the One and Only.

Matthew 6:34 applies to rules 3 and 7.  Our problems, trials, temptations, and challenges look different as time passes.  What may have been a major crisis in our 20’s pales when we look at it through the lenses of our 50’s.  We will never solve all the problems that are in this world, but we can know that in God’s timing everything will eventually work out.

Judging others is a major issue in everyone’s life.  We may be able to convince others on the surface that we aren’t judging them, but…  Matthew 7:1-2 tells us that the consequence of being judgmental is that we will be judged in the same way as we judge others.  Can we at least, if we have to ‘judge’, do so with love, mercy, and compassion?

Why are we so worried about stuff?  We are clearly told in Phil. 4:6-7 to quit worrying.  God is in control.  He has our front, back, sides, tops, bottoms, past, present, and future in His very capable hands.  Let this truth settle in your mind…He wants and will provide what is best for us.

Number 6 is the only one I would question.  I have given God charge of my life.  With that I have given him control of happiness, joy, delight, and all the other good things that are in His storeroom for me.  Ecclesiastes 2:26 says He will give us wisdom, knowledge, and happiness if we please Him.  You might ask how do we please Him.  It’s quite simple!  We learn His Word, know His Son, and share all with others.